Ohio State Lands Five-Star DL Marcus Fakatou in 2027 Class
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State has added another elite defensive lineman to its 2027 recruiting class, as five-star prospect Marcus Fakatou committed to the Buckeyes on Monday. The 6-foot-7, 275-pound defensive lineman from Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) chose Ohio State over finalists Georgia and Texas, capping a recruitment that included an unofficial visit to Columbus in March and an official visit in late May.
Fakatou, ranked No. 26 overall and the No. 2 defensive lineman in the 2027 class by 247Sports, joins top-five prospect DJ Jacobs as Ohio State’s second five-star defensive lineman in the cycle. The Buckeyes have not signed two five-star DLs in the same class since 2021, when they landed JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer.
Fakatou recorded 69 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a junior at Orange Lutheran High School before transferring to Sierra Canyon for his senior year. His high school tape highlights his strength, acceleration and pass-rush potential, though officials noted there is room for improvement in his reaction time off the snap. Ohio State’s defensive line coach Larry Johnson and strength coach Mick Marotti will determine how best to develop his skillset in the Buckeyes’ 4-2-5 defense.
The commitment brings Ohio State’s 2027 class to 18 players, including four-star defensive end Wyatt Smith and four-star defensive tackle Karlos May, who is expected to announce his decision on July 18. Fakatou is the Buckeyes’ ninth defensive commitment in the cycle, joining Jacobs, Smith, and linebackers Quinton Cypher and Prince Goldsby, among others.
Ohio State has now secured three defensive line commits in the 2027 class, with Fakatou joining Jacobs and Smith. The Buckeyes are also targeting four-star defensive tackle Karlos May to round out the group.
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